Celebs swear by the Oura ring

A host of Hollywood celebs, from Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow to Will Smith, and even tech honchos like Mark Zuckerberg, swear by Oura rings — a fitness device worn on the finger to track sleep, stress levels and other aspects of health.

The ring was first made in Finland in 2013 and initially focused on sleep. It drew one’s attention a few years ago, when Prince Harry wore it. It now numbers even some professional athletes among its fans. And it seems to be catching on in India among fitness freaks, who are increasingly relying on this cool gadget to keep track of their health. Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt was recently seen making a fashion statement with this latest device.

Tracking health

The elegant Oura rings provide valuable insights that aid in improving both physical and mental health. Though the fitness accessory has been around in the West for the last few years, it’s only now that it’s catching on among many fitness enthusiasts, after newer versions of the device hit the markets.

Combining technology and style

Dr HP Bharathi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute, feels that the Oura Ring gaining traction in India signifies a global shift in health tracking. The sleek titanium ring, now in its third iteration since 2013, offers discreet yet comprehensive monitoring of vital metrics like heart-rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep duration, she says. “The Oura Ring provides personalised insights and achievable recommendations for enhancing sleep, activity and overall wellness. Its accuracy in HRV tracking, validated at 98.4%, adds reliability to the data it offers,” she says.

With the design resembling a wedding band, the Oura Ring seamlessly combines aesthetics with advanced health technology, making it a preferred choice among fitness enthusiasts and celebrities. “In India, the ‘Oura wave’ signifies a growing appreciation for holistic health monitoring. Beyond a fashion statement, the Oura Ring becomes a wellness companion, harmonising technology and style for those who value both in their health journey,” adds Dr Bharathi.

A step ahead

The founder of Steadfast Nutrition, Aman Puri, says the Oura ring is in vogue, across the world. “What makes it different from fitness watches and wristbands is that the latter only measure number of steps, calories burnt in a day, and heart rate and rhythm, while the Oura Ring can detect health issues such as cough, cold, and fever before onset by measuring body temperature and heart rate.”

The device, he says, also provides insights into sleep quality by tracking various sleep stages such as deep sleep, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and light sleep. “It detects blood oxygen (SpO2) levels, which can help track breathing disturbances. It provides a daily activity score by tracking movement, steps taken, heart rate, etc,” he says.

The Oura ring can also predict menstruation by monitoring temperature changes in the body. “By using the same temperature trends, this ring provides more accurate insights into the menstrual cycle,” he says adding it is the first FDA-approved birth control application because it can easily track the menstruation cycle.

Pros cons

The Oura Ring is made up of good quality waterproof material and has a long battery life of 7 days. “However, a minor drawback is that it is not available in different sizes that fit everyone. It costs Rs 20,000 – Rs 25,000, which may not be pocket-friendly for everyone,” he feels.

For better sleep

The Oura ring has research-grade sensors that monitor sleep stages and overall sleep quality. The ring is connected to an app, which collects data and builds a picture of the wearer’s specific sleep patterns over time, delivering personalised recommendations on how to improve sleep quality.

The Oura Ring provides personalized insights and achievable recommendations for enhancing sleep, activity and overall wellness. Its accuracy in HRV tracking, validated at 98.4%, adds reliability to the data it offers. In India, the ‘Oura wave’ signifies a growing appreciation for holistic health monitoring. Beyond a fashion statement, the Oura Ring becomes a wellness companion.” Dr HP Bharathi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute

What makes it different from fitness watches and wristbands is that the latter only measure number of steps, calories burnt in a day, and heart rate and rhythm, while the Oura Ring can detect health issues such as cough, cold, and fever before onset by measuring body temperature and heart rate.” Aman Puri, The founder of Steadfast Nutrition.